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Everlasting Remorse
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Everlasting Remorse

work by Bai Juyi
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Quick Summary

"Everlasting Remorse," also known as "Changhen'ge," is a narrative poem by the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi. The poem recounts the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved concubine, Yang Guifei.1

The poem details how Yang Guifei's beauty captivated the emperor, leading him to neglect his imperial duties. This neglect, coupled with the influence of her family, contributed to the An Lushan rebellion, which significantly weakened the Tang dynasty. The narrative culminates in the forced flight of the emperor and his court, and the tragic execution of Yang Guifei by the emperor's own soldiers, who blamed her and her family for the ensuing chaos. Bai Juyi, known for his elegantly simple verse, used this poem to reflect on themes of love, loss, and the consequences of political corruption and personal indulgence.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Yang Guifei
  2. Bai Juyi

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